Preview Roundups
October 28, 2015
Washington at Orlando 7:00 PM ET
The Washington Wizards stalled out in the second round of the playoffs last spring but remain a challenger in the Eastern Conference with John Wall leading the way. The Orlando Magic, who host the Wizards in the season opener on Wednesday, are hoping a new coach can take them back to the postseason for the first time since 2012.
Philadelphia at Boston 7:30 PM ET
The Boston Celtics decided to make a run at the playoffs last spring instead of tanking for draft position and ended up bowing out in the first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Philadelphia 76ers, who visit the Celtics in the season opener on Wednesday, took a different approach to the end of last season just as they had the previous campaign and are hoping the young talent they netted in the process begins to pay off soon.
Chicago at Brooklyn 7:30 PM ET
The Brooklyn Nets have eight new faces on the roster, but will depend on their familiar faces plenty when they open the season against the visiting Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Center Brook Lopez, last season’s leading scorer, along with forwards Joe Johnson and Thaddeus Young return to lead the Nets in their attempt to return to the playoffs for the fourth straight time.
Utah at Detroit 7:30 PM ET
The Detroit Pistons began their season with an impressive road victory and the Utah Jazz look to start their campaign in a similar manner when they visit Detroit on Wednesday. The Pistons produced a solid 106-94 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday and strongly outplayed a team that won an Eastern Conference-leading 60 games last season.
Charlotte at Miami 7:30 PM ET
The Miami Heat fell all the way out of the playoffs in the first year of the post-LeBron James era but are ready to get right back into the race. The Heat will begin that process when they host the Charlotte Hornets in the 2015-16 opener on Wednesday.
Indiana at Toronto 7:30 PM ET
The Indiana Pacers were sitting atop the Eastern Conference not too long ago but enter the 2015-16 campaign with a new look and a quicker pace after missing out on the playoffs last season. The Pacers will show off their new style when they visit the Toronto Raptors for the season opener on Wednesday.
Denver at Houston 8:00 PM ET
The Houston Rockets came within a few wins of their first NBA Finals appearance in 20 years last season, and they have their sights set on another title push. The Rockets begin another much-anticipated campaign at home on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets, who figure to be on the other end of the standings.
Cleveland at Memphis 8:00 PM ET
The Memphis Grizzlies did not make any major changes after producing 55 victories in 2014-15 and will be tested immediately in their opener when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. The biggest offseason news for Memphis was resigning All-Star center Marc Gasol, who was a consistent force while posting a career-best 17.4 points per game.
New York at Milwaukee 8:00 PM ET
Carmelo Anthony will play his first regular season game in nearly nine months when he leads the New York Knicks into a season opener at Milwaukee on Wednesday. The superstar forward missed every game after the All-Star break last season - the Knicks' worst in franchise history - following left knee surgery, but showed he was ready to return to form with a fast start in the preseason, averaging 18.7 points on 66.7 percent shooting in his first three games back on the court.
San Antonio at Oklahoma City 8:00 PM ET
The San Antonio Spurs added All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge to their cast of standouts while the Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping for an injury free season from superstar Kevin Durant. The two Western Conference clubs open their respective seasons on Wednesday with the visiting Spurs still bristling from last season's first-round playoff exit while the Thunder failed to qualify.
Dallas at Phoenix 10:00 PM ET
The Dallas Mavericks were rebuffed in their biggest offseason move but made a couple other additions that has them believing they can compete in the Western Conference. Dallas lost out on center DeAndre Jordan but has a new backcourt of Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams as they open the season on Wednesday against the host Phoenix Suns.
New Orleans at Portland 10:00 PM ET
The Portland Trail Blazers lost franchise icon LaMarcus Aldridge to free agency in the offseason and have a whole new look as they open the season against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Point guard Damian Lillard is the only returning starter on a squad that is looking to win a record 15th consecutive home opener, which would break a tie with the Boston Celtics (1979-92).
L.A. Clippers at Sacramento 10:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Clippers experienced a crushing collapse in the second round of last season's playoffs and their push to redeem themselves begins with Wednesday's visit to the Sacramento Kings. Los Angeles appeared on its way to reaching the Western Conference finals last May before blowing a 19-point lead in Game 6 and eventually losing the series to the Houston Rockets.
Minnesota at L.A. Lakers 10:30 PM ET
Kobe Bryant is expected to play in the season opener despite leg soreness as the Los Angeles Lakers begin the campaign on Wednesday with a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 37-year-old Bryant practiced on Tuesday and is ready to start a campaign that could end up being his final NBA season.